On Mission

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Sarah Harrigan, Monica Thom Konschnik, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., discuss various types of priestly ministry and the distinction between diocesan priests and religious priests. Most people may be familiar with the ministries and role of the parish priest. There are also priests who are not directly associated with parishes. Some may be part of a reli...

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Sarah Harrigan, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., are joined by Jonathan Harrison, Program Associate at the Catholic Apostolate Center, to discuss the life and witness of Blessed Carlo Acutis. Bl. Carlo Acutis was 15 years old when he died of leukemia in a hospital in Monza, Italy in 2006. Carlo is remembered as a normal, joyful teenager who strived to be t...

In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss the Theological Virtues—Faith, Hope, and Charity—and how they contribute to a virtuous life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is available for reference on the Catholic Apostolate Center website . Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate Center The...

In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss the Cardinal Virtues—prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance—and how one can lead a virtuous life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is available for reference on the Catholic Apostolate Center website. Follow us: The Catholic Apostolate C...

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Amy Cardin, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., are joined by Dr. Susan Timoney, Associate Dean for Graduate Ministerial Studies at the Catholic University of America, to discuss the Year of Prayer proclaimed by Pope Francis for 2024 ahead of the Year of Jubilee in 2025. In preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year 'Pilgrims of Hope', 2024 has been designated a Y...

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Amy Cardin, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., are joined by Fr. Conrad Murphy, Chaplain at the University of Maryland Catholic Student Center and host of the Habemus Papam podcast, to discuss the history and role of the pope from St. Peter to Pope Francis. The Papacy, established by Christ when he declared to St. Peter: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and o...

In this episode of On Mission, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., Kate Fowler, Chris Pierno, and special guest, Joseph Basalla, as they discuss the history of liturgical vestments and the evolution of the garments worn by priests and deacons. In the liturgical calendar, the color for each day corresponds to that day's main liturgical celebration, even though Optional Memorials (perhaps with a different colo...

In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Fr. Jim Sabak, O.F.M., Director of Worship for the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina, to discuss the Easter Vigil Liturgy, the Vigil's symbolism, and Easter traditions.  The rubrics of the Missale Romanum remind us that this "mother of all vigils " is the "greatest and most noble of all solemnities...

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Amy Cardin, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., are joined by Jonathan Sitko, Director of Programs at the Catholic Apostolate Center, to discuss podcasts and how they are an important evangelization medium in the 21st century. Podcasts are one of the most popular media outlets and the Church capitalizes on the number of people consuming podcasts. Throughout t...

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Amy Cardin, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., are joined by Sarah Harrigan, Assistant Director of Administration at the Catholic Apostolate Center, to discuss faith formation in their adolescent years. The adolescent years are formational in a child’s faith journey. During this time a child may come to understand their faith as a significant part of their l...

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Amy Cardin, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., discuss how social media offers us an opportunity to spread positivity and Christ’s good news. Social media offers plenty of opportunities to communicate with people all over the world. With that opportunity one can use it to evangelize and spread peace in our lives. Sometimes social media content lacks charity,...

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Amy Cardin, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., discuss the peace that Christmas offers and how we are called to bring that peace into our lives throughout the entirety of the year. Christmas is the most wonderful time of year, people are most joyful and can be extra generous. However, there is no reason why generosity and peace cannot be brought into our liv...

In this episode of On Mission, Kate Fowler, Chris Pierno, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Emily Lomnitzer, a professional vocalist and diocesan youth choir director, to discuss the role of Sacred Music in Liturgy and personal prayer. Sacred music, or religious music, is music that is set apart from daily use and is used in the various rites and liturgies in the Church, such as Mass. It h...

In this episode of On Mission, Brian Rhude, Project Coordinator for the Catholic Apostolate Center, joins Chris Pierno and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. to discuss the Solemnity of Mary and Christmas Season celebrations. View Advent resources provided by the Catholic Apostolate Center . The season of Advent is the Church’s liturgical season of preparation for Christmas. It is often referred to as “the L...

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., discuss practical ways that parents and educators can share the Catholic Faith with young children on a daily basis. Some practical ways may include daily and routine opportunities of prayer, for example, before meals and before bed, utilize holy water on a periodic basis, start every morning with a hymn. One c...

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., are joined by Monica Thom Konschnik , Director of Administration at the Catholic Apostolate Center, to discuss a forthcoming eformation resource designed for leaders within the Catholic Church of short-term service immersion experiences. At one point in a leader’s journey, they were following and being formed b...

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., are joined by Deacon Mark Krejci , the Director of the Diaconate for the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota , to discuss the diaconate and its role within the Church. The word deacon means “servant”. The diaconate has its origins in the Old Testament with Ancient Israel and one of the first deacons of the Church w...

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., are joined by Leonard Wathen , Director of Religious Education at St. Aloysius Church in Leonardtown, Maryland, to discuss faith formation within the parish and how to overcome various challenges. Faith Formation primarily focuses on deepening initial conversion to faith. It incorporates the catechetical, litur...

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., and Jonathan Sitko discuss stewardship in relation to the Church, the parish, and daily life. The group also discusses how we are called to be stewards of God’s gifts and to use these gifts to serve and bless the community around us.  The biblical concept of stewardship is first seen when Jesus tells the parable of...

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., and Jonathan Sitko, Director of Programs at Catholic Apostolate Center, celebrate one-hundred episodes of On Mission. They discuss how the podcast came to be what it is today and in what ways we are all called to be on mission as apostles or Missionary Disciples . They reflect on how much the Internet and Catholic...

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. are joined by Dr. Susan Timoney , S.T.D. who is the Associate Professor of Practice in Pastoral Studies, Associate Dean for Graduate Ministerial Studies, Director of the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic Un...

In this follow up to Marriage Part 1 , in this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss the Vocation to the married life and the Sacrament of Marriage , one of the seven sacraments, and how on going accompaniment in a couple’s relationship is vital. They make reference to the USCCB document Called to the Joy of Love is the national pastoral framework f...

As the feast of St. Monica (feast day August 27th) approaches, the mother of St. Augustine (feast day August 28th), who is known for her intercessory prayer for her son's conversion, please enjoy this episode about Mary as our Mother and the connection between her spiritual motherhood and the mothers in our lives with Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. who are joined by Krissy...

As the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven approaches, please enjoy this recast episode of On Mission where Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss the Marian apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Lourdes, and Our Lady of Fatima. Click here to view more information about Mary and Her Feast Days. Our Lady of Lourdes Our Lady of Fatima Our Lady of Guada...

In this episode of On Mission , Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C. discuss the Vocation to the married life and the Sacrament of Marriage , one of the seven sacraments, and how it is a spiritual and physical bond between the man and wife where the two become one flesh for the good of the couple and the procreation of children. They discuss in this episode the sacramental grace...